ROMEO COMMAND set the standard as Doncaster revived the Cat Two Yorkshire Derby with six heats over 483m at the South Yorkshire track on Saturday.

The Patrick Janssens-trained star, the 2023 English Derby runner-up and 2024 BGBF TruFrame Champion Stakes winner on Derby final night this year – an event sponsored by his owner and breeder Dave Firmager – was soon handy in a red-hot heat two against kennelmate Droopys Doughnut and Leighas Dream (Barry Derby).

Led by Droopys Doughnut for much of the way, the strong-running Romeo Command overcame early crowding to reel in the former close home for a half a length success in 29.24sec (+10) – the Coral Sussex Cup fourth bouncing back from defeat in the last month’s JenningsBet Select Stakes at Nottingham.

Leighas Dream finished third hear to make Saturday’s semis where she will be joined by kennelmate Bellmore Ozzy who paced up to lead at the first bend, escaping crowding behind before pulling clear for a four and a quarter lengths success over Agile Ange (Debbie Calvert) and Vixons Filofax (Brian Thompson) in 29.55sec (+10).

Heat three went to Michael Connolly’s Perry Barr raider Naochra who bounced back from defeat in the Birmingham Cup heats to strike in heat three, a fast start putting in a decent position before coming home strongly to deny leader Romeo Steel (Patrick Janssens) and Aghaburren Fuse (Brian Thompson). The winning time was 29.57sec (normal).

There was local success in heat four as the Paul Prior-trained Colliers Brynner was soon in command once edging fast-starting Acomb Johnny (Kevin Ferguson) in the dash to the bend before stretching on for a one and three-quarter lengths success over that rival and Answering (Patrick Janssens) in 29.60sec (normal).

Tom Heilbron sent out the winner in heat five as a fastest-of-the-night 4.04sec sectional set  up a trap-to-line victory for Greenwell Coe in 29.31sec (normal), the Newcastle raider never in danger after that fast start on his way to a three-length success over Chelms Sonny (Craig Morris) and Slick Sentinel (Patrick Janssens).

Team Heilbron then doubled up courtesy of Untold Euro as the Ladbrokes Gold Cup finalist was soon in charge and went away for a one and three-quarter length success over trackmate Ballymac Lineout (Jimmy Fenwick) and Acomb Mabel (Kevin Ferguson) in 29.38sec (normal) – all three securing their places in Saturday’s semis.

Craig Day, Doncaster racing manager, was delighted with the overall entry for the £8,000 to-the-winnner event, which is being supported by the BGBF British Bred St Leger.

“It certainly made for a brilliant card here on Saturday and we’ve got more of the same this week,” said Day. “The entry for both competitions was really good, both in terms of numbers and class of dog, and that was pleasing given it’s an awkward place in the Calendar with the Yarmouth Derby and the Birmingham Cup and St Leger at Perry Barr.

“A few performances stood out, obviously Romeo Command in the Yorkshire Derby. He clocked the fastest time winning his heat, although I thought Leighas Dream caught the eye for Barry Denby in defeat here – she ran a massive race probably going a bit under the radar. The same comment probably applies to Chelms Sonny of Craig Morris’s who just missed out making the bend but will improve for the look round.

“As for the British Bred St Leger we really didn’t know what to expect as it was so close to the St Leger itself and the Produce Stakes. It’s really a niche comp but again we had some fantastic dogs entered – Fabulous Dyna put down a marker as defending champion!

“Both comps are shaping up well and I’d particularly like to say thanks to the Watson family for putting up the prize fund in the Yorkshire Derby. We have Category Three competitions starting this week so we expect a great card come finals’ night on Saturday week.”